ADAM JONES has declared it’s high time Wales followed up a Grand Slam by underlining their dominance in the following season as well.

ADAM JONES has declared it’s high time Wales followed up a Grand Slam by underlining their dominance in the following season as well.

If Rob Howley’s men were to repeat the feat of 2012, they would become only the second Wales outfit in history to achieve it.

You have to go back to the class of the 1908-09 season for the only time back-to-back Slams were nailed when Cardiff’s prolific try-scorer Johnnie Williams – who crossed the line 17 times in as many Test before being killed in the First World War – was in his pomp.

Powerhouse prop Jones is already part of an exclusive six-strong club of Welsh players to have won three Slams along with Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Gerald Davies, Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones.

And now he is setting his sights even higher.

“When we’ve been champions we’ve never really backed it up. It’s something we want to put right, but there’s five very good teams there so it’s not cut and dried,” said the tighthead.

Wales have won 11 Grand Slams, one less than England with France on nine, Scotland three and Ireland two.

The English have won consecutive Grand Slams three times while France have managed the feat just once.

Those statistics show how difficult it is to win the tournament with Wales having followed up the 2005 and 2008 successes with fourth-place finishes.

Jones was a mainstay in those, but has difficulty putting his finger on why they fell short in 2006 and 2009.

There were mitigating circumstances in 2006 with Ruddock-Gate – the player revolt which resulted in 2005 Six Nations title mastermind Mike Ruddock standing down two matches into the campaign – erupting and it petering out with a meek home draw against Italy.

Wales threw away a commanding position in France in 2009, but could have clinched the Triple Crown and championship on the final day had they disposed of Ireland.

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But they were pipped at the post as the Irish secured their first Grand Slam in 61 years.

So there’s every incentive for this Wales team to crack on, so to speak, and notch up another landmark.

First obstacle to that bid comes against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in 10 days time with Wales looking to end the heartache of seven straight defeats with only one victory, over invitation team Barbarians, since conquering Europe by beating France last March.

There’s also the lure of a Warren Gatland-coached Lions tour to drive on Jones, who wore No. 3 in South Africa four years ago, and company.

“We want to push on as a team and every game this year against the home nations will be like an audition for the Lions,” warned Jones.

“If you’re struggling it will be picked up by Warren. He will have in the back of his mind who he wants to pick.

“You want to get one up on the likes of Dan Cole, Euan Murray and Mike Ross.”

Jones missed last autumn’s defeats against Argentina, Samoa, World Cup holders New Zealand and Australia because of knee trouble, but has returned to find the squad in an upbeat mood ahead of the Six Nations.

“In parts we played well and had we played a bit more sensible and had the bounce of the ball we would have done a bit better, especially with the four games against Australia (three last summer Down Under and one in the autumn).

“But it’s history now and we’re looking forward to getting back on the field.”

However, he acknowledged it was vital for Wales to get off to a winning start in their defence of the Six Nations crown to generate confidence ahead of the trip to powerhouses France the following week.

“We want to start with a bit of momentum because, if we lose at home to Ireland, Paris is probably not the best place to go straight after it,” confided Jones.

“Going there with a win would definitely help. We have got to be confident – I don’t see why we can’t do very well.

“We didn’t do very well during the autumn, but maybe we can turn it around.

“We are missing a few boys, like ‘Lyds’ (Dan Lydiate) and in the second row. Hopefully, Alun Wyn Jones will be back sooner rather than later and Yanto (Ian Evans).

“Getting those guys back in, even if they are not playing, kind of gives the camp a lift. Yanto keeps telling me he is the lucky charm for the Six Nations.”

Evans has never lost in the tournament but is doubtful for the start of it because of a knee injury, which has kept them out since the defeat to Samoa on November 16 last year.

Jones is expecting a battle-royal with an Irish team that demolished Argentina and Fiji in the autumn, after losing narrowly to South Africa.

“Ireland are a good side and their regions always do well. Ulster are on a bit of a roll and Leinster are packed full of Lions,” pointed out the 31-year-old.

“Their provinces are fantastic and have always done well in Europe, but then been criticised for not backing it up with the international side.

“It doesn’t mean anything, otherwise Ireland would have won the Slam for the last five years.

“They have some world-class players, which will obviously make it difficult. Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll, they would get in most teams, and they will always be hard to play against.

“But you’re not playing for your region, you’re playing for Wales and it’s all about who is better on the day.

“We’ve got the better of them the last few times and played a bit smarter. No-one is panicking.”

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